RIP Johnny Ray Watts
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Frank
Aug 15, 2020, 5:44:01 PM8/15/20
to Carolina Old Time Music Network
It is with great sadness I am reporting the passing of Johnny Ray Watts.
Several years ago, after viewing the OT music scene from the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie "Stay Hungry" (1976), I was very impressed with the fiddling skills of
the young left handed prodigy featured in the scene. I contacted several Alabama music friends and others, and even one of the scene participants to determine
who was the young fiddler who began the playing of the tune "Soldiers Joy". I had been told the movie scene was organized by Byron Berline and filmed in the
Birmingham, Alabama area. I was wanting to know the fiddler's identity so I could see what a marvelous musician he had become, having been so good at such an
early age. I had no luck at all in determining his identity until last week.
My friend John DuBose last week received a reply to his YouTube inquiry which had been posted three years ago, seeking the identity of the young fiddler in the scene.
Sadly, the poster, who most probably was a relative of Johnny, replied Johnny had passed last week.
Stay Hungry OT music scene:
Johnny Ray Watts was named “Fiddle Champion” at the 45th annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention at Athens State University (2011)
Johnny Ray Watts obituary:
What a wonderful movie role for a talented young fiddler! I feel quite certain this OT movie scene will long outlive the movie itself.
Stay well all,
Frank Caston
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